Jesus said, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14

It's no surprise that a lifestyle promoting selfish service is so prevalent today. A barrage of popular media is constantly telling you that the only person who's really important in this world is you. But the it's-all-about-me philosophy isn't a recent phenomenon. It's been around for ages.

That's probably why the self-important religious leaders in Jesus' time were so taken aback when Jesus spoke about serving others. "Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant," He said. What? That's backward! they must have thought.

Jesus didn't stop at words, though.  He took on one of the lowliest tasks -foot washing- to show His disciples just how to be a servant.  This wasn't grandstanding or look at me event. (Sandals and dusty roads made for particularly dirty feet.)  It was a humble, quiet action that taught a simple yet powerful lesson:  serve others unselfishly.

"You, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."  Galatians 5:13

Howard Hendricks has said: "The service that counts is the service that costs."  Act Backward, serve others.  John 3:30

May the Lord Bless.